Audrey Hepburn - Happy Birthday and Dresses to Inspire

Audrey Hepburn remains one of the greatest style icons of all time - and to celebrate what should have been her 90th birthday this May 4 , we take a look at her best moments. Steal her style in our Little Black Dresses and classics even Givenchy would envy. Read on for her most famous quotes and looks.

The Little Black Dress

Firstly, Team LBD is loving any excuse to shout from the rooftops about Audrey Hepburn, we love her to bits. Her starring role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of the most influential film moments in fashion history. And, she has since become associated with the classic wardrobe staple we endearingly call the LBD. Today (May 2, 2019) an exhibition opens at the Espace Vanderborght in her hometown Brussels. The show reveals a simpler side to the star whose appearance in a dazzling Givenchy gown in "Breakfast At Tiffany's" - perhaps the most famous "little black dress" of all - became one of the defining images of 20th century glamour.

Audrey Hepburn - icon

"This woman who was a style icon basically lived in a little cotton dress all her life -- a simple life," her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer said. Hepburn was born Audrey Ruston on May 4, 1929 in the Brussels district of Ixelles, to a Dutch mother and a British father who was then working for a Belgian subsidiary of the Bank of England.

The Brussels exhibition of around 800 photos lasts until August - so if you're off for a city break to Europe, make it a must on your culture go-to visits.

Audrey's obsession with the black dress goes back to her early career when she met famous designer Hubert de Givenchy, according to author Pamela Clarke Keogh in her study Audrey's Style. Their relationship blossomed: "They were meant to meet" friends said. Givenchy spent most of Audrey's lifetime dressing her, showing off her vibrant personality. Givenchy describes her as: "A big personality. In the choice of her dresses, in wearing them with such elegance, chic, and simplicity. In a very personal way, she created her very own look".

The new LBD - out now. See black dresses

The Classic LBD - Audrey's Go-To Style

Therefore, you can never go wrong with a Little Black Dress. Opt for feathers, sequins, embroidery or just plain elegance aka Hepburn style. Browse your perfect midi dress, wriggle into a slinky bodycon or go for maximum impact with a long maxi dress. The fashion icon was a wonderful role model for women in the 1950's - a style that has stood the test of time.

Caption: "There is not a woman alive who does not dream of looking like Audrey Hepburn," Givenchy wrote.

Meanwhile, back to the present day, we think LBDs remain a must have style - every woman should own at least one. They have stood the test of time. Perfect in all shapes and sizes as a wrap, skater, mini dress or maxi - there's something for everyone. Whatever your occasion, big or small, we certainly boast the largest collection of fabulous black dresses in the UK.

So, If Audrey was still with us today - just what would she wear? Read on for our selects to capture her spirit of adventure and style. . .

Caption: Our own Audrey, a touch decadent with feather trim.

So, what would would she wear? Well, we can imagine Hepburn in this stunning  midi dress perhaps sitting comfortably in her second major movie Sabrina with Humphrey Bogart? Or what about this SJP pleated in a sequin fabric? Perfect for the early Audrey perhaps in Funny Face? 

"I Believe in Pink" - Audrey

Audrey is seen in many colours but more often wearing Pink. Stars would praise her and say she never really had a sense of how beautiful she was. Yep. We agree. However, we hold our hands up to the celebrity make up artists of the fifties who kept her sweet innocent look by keeping her features natural. Our favourite is in Moonriver when she goes for all out glamour whilst keeping all her natural beauty. What's your favourite Audrey look? The Moonriver vibe was a full luxurious lip. Try our Daniel Sandler range for copycat tones. Dab with a tissue and then apply a gloss.

For cheeks use a neutral colour contour to define your features. Apply colour under the cheekbone, across the forehead and down the side of the face. Finish across the chin follow with a burnt orange blush - we love Daniel Sandler's watercolour range. And finally, the eyes must remain smokey and elegant. . .add our Code Beautiful mascara for endless lashes for Audrey's celebrity vibes.

Here's the pick of our best pink dresses we're sure Audrey would love. See our LBD Exclusive range of Kate pencil dresses

Timeless tea dresses

Caption: "Audrey was known for something which has disappeared, and that is elegance, grace and manners...God kissed her on the cheek, and there she was." Billy Wilder.

With her blend of European elegance, Audrey stepped right into the middle of the 1950s looking sophisticated. But this feminine look remains just as chic today, perfect for weddings and special occasions.

 

Try a gorgeous Gina Bacconi organza tea dress which has a cinched in waist and a floaty, feminine appeal in an elegant floral organza print fabric.  Again the soft contours create length and poise, surely something Hepburn would approve of? Style with a hattinator for special occasions. And finally, grab a clutch in this timeless bag.

So in summing up, Audrey came of age in the fifties at a time of renewed optimism and great change for women the world over. Not so different from today, women continue to pursue their dreams with even greater vigor. Let's hope we can all keep shining the light on fabulous and continue to echo her spirit and ultimate grace.

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